Konis and Tein Spring specials; package deals too!
10-24-2006, 11:27 PM
#27
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Certainly, order away! I'll let you know if there will be further delays, but as far as the set of S-techs and the set of Tanabes, they're moving through the UPS system on-time and will arrive on Thursday. And I can usually ship them out the day I receive them.
11-01-2006, 02:48 PM
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DPE - have you tested the Koni's + the S tech's?
I know the setup you mostly spoke of was the koni + H tech...just wondering if the stiffer S techs are better?
Lemme know! I may be a new customer in a month or two...saving now...
I know the setup you mostly spoke of was the koni + H tech...just wondering if the stiffer S techs are better?
Lemme know! I may be a new customer in a month or two...saving now...
11-01-2006, 03:15 PM
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Haven't formally 'tested' them like we have the H-tech combo (don't have track time on them), but I've driven on them. I like the setup, as it's a bit more aggressive yet still isn't harsh or anything. I suspect that's exactly what my car will end up on once we're done comparing Konis and Tokicos (I put H-techs on mine with Tokicos only because the car with Konis on it also has H-techs), unless I go with some more expensive coilovers.
Depends on how you define 'better', but if better is a bit lower, a bit firmer, and a bit more body control then yes, the S-techs are better. If you want less drop, a little more compliance, but still a definite improvement over stock, H-techs are the springs for you. Ultimately it depends on the individual driver preferences, but thus far we haven't had anyone with either combination complain to us that what they got was too soft or too stiff. And we've sold quite a few sets
.
You keep saving; we just got another 4 sets of Konis in, but are down to 1 set of H-techs and no S-techs. That should be remedied by late next week when another Tein shipment arrives.
Depends on how you define 'better', but if better is a bit lower, a bit firmer, and a bit more body control then yes, the S-techs are better. If you want less drop, a little more compliance, but still a definite improvement over stock, H-techs are the springs for you. Ultimately it depends on the individual driver preferences, but thus far we haven't had anyone with either combination complain to us that what they got was too soft or too stiff. And we've sold quite a few sets
. You keep saving; we just got another 4 sets of Konis in, but are down to 1 set of H-techs and no S-techs. That should be remedied by late next week when another Tein shipment arrives.
11-01-2006, 10:20 PM
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DPE (Phil),
Thanks a ton for the springs. They arrived here in Metro Atlanta, Georgia on Monday. I appreciate the quick turn around on shipping.
Ivan
p.s. - Going to install the springs with a set of Koni Sports next week. Will give some feedback after the install.
Thanks a ton for the springs. They arrived here in Metro Atlanta, Georgia on Monday. I appreciate the quick turn around on shipping.
Ivan
p.s. - Going to install the springs with a set of Koni Sports next week. Will give some feedback after the install.
11-06-2006, 11:57 AM
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I wonder how hard it would be to fabricate some adjustment cables for the rear Konis, for someone who works at a machine shop? You wouldn't happen to have a closeup picture of the rear shocks (where cables would attach) would you Phil?
11-06-2006, 12:14 PM
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Baron,
Unfortunately, it's not that easy. There is no external adjustment **** of any kind on the shock. To adjust it, you must compress the piston rod all the way in, twist it until it 'clicks' into place, and then turn the direction you want to adjust. It's simply not possible to do with the shock on the car unless it is somehow modified by Koni, and even then I don't believe it would be as easy as connecting a cable to a **** at the top.
On the 350Z, the rear Konis are adjustable through a little 'window' located near the top of the shock body. In that window are holes every eighth of a turn or so, and the window is about a quarter-turn across. You can get in there with a small allen wrench, and adjust them a quarter-turn at a time. I would assume it would be some sort of adjustment like that if one had Koni modify their RX-8 rear shocks for external adjustment, but I honestly don't know.
Unfortunately, it's not that easy. There is no external adjustment **** of any kind on the shock. To adjust it, you must compress the piston rod all the way in, twist it until it 'clicks' into place, and then turn the direction you want to adjust. It's simply not possible to do with the shock on the car unless it is somehow modified by Koni, and even then I don't believe it would be as easy as connecting a cable to a **** at the top.
On the 350Z, the rear Konis are adjustable through a little 'window' located near the top of the shock body. In that window are holes every eighth of a turn or so, and the window is about a quarter-turn across. You can get in there with a small allen wrench, and adjust them a quarter-turn at a time. I would assume it would be some sort of adjustment like that if one had Koni modify their RX-8 rear shocks for external adjustment, but I honestly don't know.
11-07-2006, 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by DPE
Haven't formally 'tested' them like we have the H-tech combo (don't have track time on them), but I've driven on them. I like the setup, as it's a bit more aggressive yet still isn't harsh or anything. I suspect that's exactly what my car will end up on once we're done comparing Konis and Tokicos (I put H-techs on mine with Tokicos only because the car with Konis on it also has H-techs), unless I go with some more expensive coilovers.
Depends on how you define 'better', but if better is a bit lower, a bit firmer, and a bit more body control then yes, the S-techs are better. If you want less drop, a little more compliance, but still a definite improvement over stock, H-techs are the springs for you. Ultimately it depends on the individual driver preferences, but thus far we haven't had anyone with either combination complain to us that what they got was too soft or too stiff. And we've sold quite a few sets.
You keep saving; we just got another 4 sets of Konis in, but are down to 1 set of H-techs and no S-techs. That should be remedied by late next week when another Tein shipment arrives.
Depends on how you define 'better', but if better is a bit lower, a bit firmer, and a bit more body control then yes, the S-techs are better. If you want less drop, a little more compliance, but still a definite improvement over stock, H-techs are the springs for you. Ultimately it depends on the individual driver preferences, but thus far we haven't had anyone with either combination complain to us that what they got was too soft or too stiff. And we've sold quite a few sets
. You keep saving; we just got another 4 sets of Konis in, but are down to 1 set of H-techs and no S-techs. That should be remedied by late next week when another Tein shipment arrives.
.Anyways, thanks for the help!
11-07-2006, 11:12 AM
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Well, I hope to start seriously autocrossing very soon...Maybe even compete (novice). I just need to buy a few things before I start...Tires, suspension, etc. I dont mind if the ride is a little stiff just not horribly stiff (have to keep the family happy...LOL). So the S-techs might be a solution for me. Depends on your testing though. I may even wait till you get to test your other setup with the shocks you can easily adjust the ones in the rear (forgot the name... .
Anyways, thanks for the help!
Anyways, thanks for the help!
11-07-2006, 01:37 PM
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Caveman - ^^^ what he said; Tokicos .
If you are going to start autocrossing seriously and want to compete, I suspect you'll want to do so in B-stock. This would preclude you from getting springs, as lowering springs are not legal in the stock classes. That's not to say you can't compete in other classes, but as soon as springs go on you'll likely have to make a lot of other changes to be competitive in whatever class you compete in. Stay in B-stock, and you'll have the best car for the class and you don't need to do much to the car relatively speaking.
On shocks though, you will want to upgrade regardless and Koni and Tokico are basically your only two choices. Konis are heavily favored in the autox circles, but I'm not sure if anyone has really made a go at it with Tokicos yet.
Either way it's a definite improvement!
. If you are going to start autocrossing seriously and want to compete, I suspect you'll want to do so in B-stock. This would preclude you from getting springs, as lowering springs are not legal in the stock classes. That's not to say you can't compete in other classes, but as soon as springs go on you'll likely have to make a lot of other changes to be competitive in whatever class you compete in. Stay in B-stock, and you'll have the best car for the class and you don't need to do much to the car relatively speaking.
On shocks though, you will want to upgrade regardless and Koni and Tokico are basically your only two choices. Konis are heavily favored in the autox circles, but I'm not sure if anyone has really made a go at it with Tokicos yet.
Either way it's a definite improvement!
11-09-2006, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DPE
Caveman - ^^^ what he said; Tokicos .
If you are going to start autocrossing seriously and want to compete, I suspect you'll want to do so in B-stock. This would preclude you from getting springs, as lowering springs are not legal in the stock classes. That's not to say you can't compete in other classes, but as soon as springs go on you'll likely have to make a lot of other changes to be competitive in whatever class you compete in. Stay in B-stock, and you'll have the best car for the class and you don't need to do much to the car relatively speaking.
On shocks though, you will want to upgrade regardless and Koni and Tokico are basically your only two choices. Konis are heavily favored in the autox circles, but I'm not sure if anyone has really made a go at it with Tokicos yet.
Either way it's a definite improvement!
. If you are going to start autocrossing seriously and want to compete, I suspect you'll want to do so in B-stock. This would preclude you from getting springs, as lowering springs are not legal in the stock classes. That's not to say you can't compete in other classes, but as soon as springs go on you'll likely have to make a lot of other changes to be competitive in whatever class you compete in. Stay in B-stock, and you'll have the best car for the class and you don't need to do much to the car relatively speaking.
On shocks though, you will want to upgrade regardless and Koni and Tokico are basically your only two choices. Konis are heavily favored in the autox circles, but I'm not sure if anyone has really made a go at it with Tokicos yet.
Either way it's a definite improvement!
So if you haven't gotten a chance to test the Tokicos then I may just go with the Konis. This is what I hope to buy this year...
This year:
Shocks + springs (Tokicos or Konis)
Other Suspension (Body braces + sways)
Tires = Kumho Mx's 245/40 18's
When I become rich (LOL):
Wheels = Enkie RPF1 - 18 x 9.5 45 mm
Tires = Falcon rt615
Engine = Mazport Turbo + Interceptor X
Either way thanks for the assistence! You will be hearing from me once my pockets get thicker. Working lots of overtime!
Last edited by cavemancan; 11-09-2006 at 08:45 PM.
11-12-2006, 12:42 AM
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Tokicos are 'in testing' shall we say. I'm taking it to Hallett (road course in OK) next Saturday, and after that I should have more to say about them. Unfortunately my guy with the Koni/H-tech car has been absurdly busy lately and will be for awhile, so we won't be able to compare them back-to-back on track this year. But we'll get together soon and do a little car swapping on some local twisties and see how they shake out.
At this point, I'm guessing you'll like Konis for autox, but if you crank up the rears really high (as I think all the champion autocrossers do on the RX-8) then you could get into a bit of a harsh ride. With the Tokicos of course, you can turn them back down at the twist of a ****. Tough choice.
Sounds like for autox you'd end up in STU or BSP, either of which would be pretty tough. You end up against modded STIs and EVOs, and while the 8 has a better chassis than either it sadly has quite a bit less motor. Enough that it matters. But at a local level you may be quite successful; just depends on your competition.
Anyway, I'll let you know as much as I can about various suspension parts over the next couple months, and you let me know if you have more questions!
At this point, I'm guessing you'll like Konis for autox, but if you crank up the rears really high (as I think all the champion autocrossers do on the RX-8) then you could get into a bit of a harsh ride. With the Tokicos of course, you can turn them back down at the twist of a ****. Tough choice.
Sounds like for autox you'd end up in STU or BSP, either of which would be pretty tough. You end up against modded STIs and EVOs, and while the 8 has a better chassis than either it sadly has quite a bit less motor. Enough that it matters
. But at a local level you may be quite successful; just depends on your competition. Anyway, I'll let you know as much as I can about various suspension parts over the next couple months, and you let me know if you have more questions!
11-14-2006, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by DPE
Tokicos are 'in testing' shall we say. I'm taking it to Hallett (road course in OK) next Saturday, and after that I should have more to say about them. Unfortunately my guy with the Koni/H-tech car has been absurdly busy lately and will be for awhile, so we won't be able to compare them back-to-back on track this year. But we'll get together soon and do a little car swapping on some local twisties and see how they shake out.
At this point, I'm guessing you'll like Konis for autox, but if you crank up the rears really high (as I think all the champion autocrossers do on the RX-8) then you could get into a bit of a harsh ride. With the Tokicos of course, you can turn them back down at the twist of a ****. Tough choice.
Sounds like for autox you'd end up in STU or BSP, either of which would be pretty tough. You end up against modded STIs and EVOs, and while the 8 has a better chassis than either it sadly has quite a bit less motor. Enough that it matters. But at a local level you may be quite successful; just depends on your competition.
Anyway, I'll let you know as much as I can about various suspension parts over the next couple months, and you let me know if you have more questions!
At this point, I'm guessing you'll like Konis for autox, but if you crank up the rears really high (as I think all the champion autocrossers do on the RX-8) then you could get into a bit of a harsh ride. With the Tokicos of course, you can turn them back down at the twist of a ****. Tough choice.
Sounds like for autox you'd end up in STU or BSP, either of which would be pretty tough. You end up against modded STIs and EVOs, and while the 8 has a better chassis than either it sadly has quite a bit less motor. Enough that it matters
. But at a local level you may be quite successful; just depends on your competition. Anyway, I'll let you know as much as I can about various suspension parts over the next couple months, and you let me know if you have more questions!
I really appreciate all the help!
I have a plan that may bring me closer to the EVO's and STI's(Edit: Not by much...
). I already have money saved for the Interceptor X and plan to Tune NA maybe in January. So that should get me up to about 220 wHP (I may need a flywheel tp get this much power).Anyways, I'm am searching for the autox rules etc so I can start getting prepaired. Good luck on the Tokico tests and keep us posted!
Last edited by cavemancan; 11-14-2006 at 10:14 AM.
11-17-2006, 07:05 PM
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Just chiming in to say that I ordered my shocks sunday evening and got them Thursday. Good prices but also great customer service. I had entered the wrong email for their automated e-mail, so Phil (I think) called and left a message for my tracking number. Then today I emailed them about shock settings for s-techs and also alignment settings, and got an answer about 30 minutes later. Plus the actual testing and comparisons instead of just copy/pasting part descriptions from the manufacturer's website has been helpful. Thanks Phil!
11-20-2006, 10:09 PM
#45
01-25-2007, 08:35 PM
#46
Obsessive Paint Polisher
I certianly have enjoyed this read. Kinda surprised the thread died in November ... ? Thanks for all the great info Phil, I'll be doing business with you soon.
01-26-2007, 03:17 PM
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Yeah, been busy with the holidays and business and everything else. I'm out of Konis at the moment, but will order more next week. One set of H-techs, 3 S-techs and one set of Tanabe GF210s in stock. Along with plenty of Whiteline swaybars.
In addition, we have two sets of Tokicos in stock right now (with rear cables), and could do almost the same deal on Tokicos with springs as we do with Konis and springs. I'll set those up this weekend on the site and then probably create a new thread on them.
In addition, we have two sets of Tokicos in stock right now (with rear cables), and could do almost the same deal on Tokicos with springs as we do with Konis and springs. I'll set those up this weekend on the site and then probably create a new thread on them.
02-14-2007, 09:51 PM
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Hi Phil,
I've owned the rx8 for 2 years now, almost 3 and now I'm
ready to upgrade the suspension. I'm pretty certain I wanna
get the Koni since it seems to be a better deal and because I'm
the type that would want to get the best deal for the money
and I don't mind a harsher ride.
I've gone to willow spring once few weeks ago and I must
say that I can't wait to go again next month (2nd March).
Firstly, I wanna say that your posts have been the BEST
help around!!! I must say that what you wrote really helped
me make my decision!!
I have just 1 question for you, how do you think the koni
will do with the Mazdaspeed springs?? I know they're about
0.75" drop which I think is the best for me since my girlfriend's
garage has a very steep entrance.. (even then I think it'll
still rub). I know cosmoMPower is running the same combination..
So what do you think??
Do you think you can get me a deal on that?
Ready to order in few days time.
Hope you have stock though..
THANX A LOT!!! HUGE HELP for newbie like me!
I've owned the rx8 for 2 years now, almost 3 and now I'm
ready to upgrade the suspension. I'm pretty certain I wanna
get the Koni since it seems to be a better deal and because I'm
the type that would want to get the best deal for the money
and I don't mind a harsher ride.
I've gone to willow spring once few weeks ago and I must
say that I can't wait to go again next month (2nd March).
Firstly, I wanna say that your posts have been the BEST
help around!!! I must say that what you wrote really helped
me make my decision!!
I have just 1 question for you, how do you think the koni
will do with the Mazdaspeed springs?? I know they're about
0.75" drop which I think is the best for me since my girlfriend's
garage has a very steep entrance.. (even then I think it'll
still rub). I know cosmoMPower is running the same combination..
So what do you think??
Do you think you can get me a deal on that?
Ready to order in few days time.
Hope you have stock though..
THANX A LOT!!! HUGE HELP for newbie like me!